8 - The Wood Treatment Industry

Abstract

Historically, the wood treatment industry has been one of the worst polluters in the United States. It has been lagging in good housekeeping and source reduction practices that have been available for several decades. The wood treatment industry employs processes that require the use of many toxic chemicals such as creosote coal tars, pentachlorophenol, and arsenicals to stave off attacks by fungi, bacteria, insects, and marine borers. Although these chemicals are extremely effective as pesticides, they are associated with many negative health effects for exposed workers. Wood kiln air emissions produced during wood preservation are significant, and there can be a large amount of wastewater generated from preparation processes. Preservatives are repeatedly reused, resulting in accumulation of contaminated debris at the bottom of the retorts. Aerosols and vapors are released during chemical storage and mixing, solution storage, and opening of the retorts. After treatment, the wood is required by law to drip excess chemicals onto drip pads. Hazardous waste mitigation is discussed in the context of best management practices and technologies in the industry. The drip pads used to collect excess chemicals after the treatment process should be up-to-date on regulations and inspections. Fugitive emissions should be controlled to reduce or eliminate the amount of worker exposure. Workers should have respiratory protection and chemical protective clothing to minimize associated health hazards.